Widespread rainfall in States of central India, Maharashtra, Odisha, parts of West Bengal and North-Eastern States has brought down the overall monsoon deficit in the country to 13 per cent from 16 per cent in previous week. This was confirmed by the India Meteorological Department (IMD) on Wednesday.
The IMD had predicted an overall 12 per cent deficit for the season.
As per the IMD data, the lowest deficiency of rain is in eastern and North-Eastern part of the country at 7 per cent. This is followed by 13 per cent shortfall in central India. The southern peninsula has recorded a deficit of 15 per cent, while the north-west part of the country is reeling under the highest deficit of 19 per cent.
According to the IMD, this sudden onset of rain in the country at the fag end of the season is due to multiple weather systems active in the Bay of Bengal during the past few days. Incessant rain since past two days in Assam has resulted in flash floods in many parts of the State, including Guwahati. landslide has also been reported from near Kamakhya Temple in the State. The IMD has predicted further rain for the next 48 hours in Assam, Meghalaya, Arunachal Pradesh, Nagaland, Manipur, Mizoram, and Tripura.
Following continuous rain, Jammu & Kashmir even sounded an alert on Wednesday for people living in low-lying areas and along banks of the river Jhelum.
The water level of Jhelum has crossed the danger/ flood declaration level of 21 feet, in certain parts of the state.
According to weather scientists, this is due to a western disturbance over J&K and Pakistan. Under its impact States like Himachal Pradesh and Uttarakhand may also get rainfall in the next two days.
Odisha and parts of West Bengal are also witnessing heavy rainfall since the past 24 to 48 hours. Similar condition prevails in Central Maharashtra, Chhattisgarh and Madhya Pradesh as well.